2025 Senate Bill 689

Land use: farmland and open space; relinquishment of farmland from development rights agreements; expand legal arrangements triggering.

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending section 36111 (MCL 324.36111), as amended by 2016 PA 265.

AI Analysis – Experimental

Senate Bills 685 through 690 collectively modernize Michigan’s farmland preservation framework by expanding tax credit eligibility, clarifying procedures for conservation and development rights agreements, updating easement and relinquishment rules, refining enforcement and local government roles, and aligning related tax and environmental laws to strengthen agricultural land conservation, contingent on the passage of related legislation.

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 30, 2025

Introduced by Sen. Dan Lauwers (R-25) and four co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Sens. Sam Singh (D-28), Kevin Daley (R-26), Sue Shink (D-14) and John Cherry (D-27)

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture

Nov. 6, 2025

Reported without amendment

Nov. 12, 2025

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Dec. 2, 2025

Reported without amendment

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

Dec. 2, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture

Dec. 11, 2025

Reported without amendment

Dec. 16, 2025

Passed in the House 103 to 3 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-90)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

Dec. 18, 2025

Motion to give immediate effect by Sen. Sam Singh (D-28)

The motion prevailed by voice vote